BENTONVILLE -- Attorneys for convicted murderer Zachary Holly filed notice to appeal his conviction and death sentence.
Holly, 30, of Bentonville was sentenced last month to die by lethal injection for killing 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman in 2012. A jury found Holly guilty of capital murder, rape, kidnapping and residential burglary.
The notice of appeal in Holly's case was filed Wednesday with the Benton County Circuit Clerk's Office. Holly's attorneys Kent McLemore and Robby Golden will handle the appeal.
McLemore said he couldn't comment until he and Golden see the transcripts of the proceedings. McLemore said they can't evaluate grounds for appeal until they get the transcript, which will not be available until at least December.
A jury watched and listened to Holly's recorded confession where he admitted he abducted the Sugar Creek Elementary School kindergartner from her bed. He went on to describe to Bentonville detectives how he raped and murdered Jersey.
Jersey's nude body was found Nov. 20, 2012, in the bedroom closet of an abandoned house next to Holly 's home on Southeast A Street. She had been strangled to death with her pajama pants.
Holly's attorneys presented witnesses and testimony detailing Holly's abusive childhood in California in an effort to save his life.
Holly was sentenced to death for capital murder. He received life sentences for rape and kidnapping. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for residential burglary.
Holly's attorneys also filed a motion seeking permission to talk with the case's jurors. Circuit Judge Brad Karren denied that request.
Holly is being held at Varner Supermax in Gould.
NW News on 06/26/2015